Mechanical Music Digest™ Auctions

MMDGalleryAuctionsChartres Auction, May 2000

France - Chartres - Galerie de Chartres

Vente aux enchères publiques

Important auction of Automatas and Mechanical music instruments
Sunday May 14th, 2000, beginning at 14h (2.00 pm).

Music boxes, Organettes, Limonaire Fournier, Accordeon-Jazz Seybold, Calliope and Polyphon, Several mechanical barrelpianos, a Duo-Art grand Piano.
Automatas, Singing birds
Vichy - Roullet Decamps - Lambert - Bontems - Phalibois
A large fair organ carrousel with wood panels and 21 animals
Phonos

Me Jean-Pierre Lelièvre - Pascal Maiche - Alain Paris
Commissaires-priseurs associés
1 bis, place du Général de Gaulle - 28000-Chartres
Tel.* + 33 (0)2 37 84 04 33
Fax.* + 33 (0)2 37 36 34 71

Mechanical music consultant for this auction :
M. Philippe Rouillé, (expert CNES),
Tel.* +33 (0)1 42 36 10 25 Fax.* : +33 (0)1 42 33 69 81

* Do not dial the first (0) if you are outside France.

Important notice.

This English translation is given only for the convenience of English speaking clients, and tries to be as reliable as possible. Nevertheless, only the French text of the catalogue (with the occasional corrections given during the auction) is conclusive. (Please read the general conditions of the auction on the back of the cover of the French catalog). If you have any doubts or questions about an item, please ask the auction house before the auction.

This translation describes only the automatas and the mechanical music instruments included in the auction (Lots 751-898). There will be also, at ca 5 pm, many phonographs and related materials (about 100lots, n­s 899-1000), which are described in the French catalog.
If you are interested in dolls, there is a special auction(and catalogue in French) on Saturday May 13th, with over 700 lots.

The price mentioned in the estimates is the price expected at the hammer, in French Francs. For the buyer, add a total premium of 11 % (exactly 10,854 %) on the hammer price.

A reference is sometimes made to the Q. D. "Bowers"Encyclopaedia of Automatic Musical instruments (Vestal Press, USA, 1972 and many subsequent reprints).

Chartres is a beautiful old city, about 1 hour from Paris with a car or by train.
You may visit one of the finest XIIIth century cathedral in France, with wonderful deep blue stained glass windows ("le bleu de Chartres"). It has been for centuries a well known pilgrimage.

The auction will take place about 300 yards west of this cathedral, in an old gothic chapel, at the Galerie de Chartres.

The three auctioneers are MM. Jean-PierreLelièvre, Pascal Maiche and Alain Paris.

For any information or to get another catalog (please specify if you want this English translation too), just write or fax to the above mentioned address.
 
 
 
 

Documentation
 

751 Two books : "Profession forain",
A book by Annie Lorenzo (ed. Masson, no date) ; and"L'orgue de rue en Europe" by Rouillé and Gros (booklet for an exhibition in Castelmoron Organ Festival, 1991).
1/200

752 Three LP records,
30cm, with : orgues de foire Limonaire, orgue de la foire du Trône, La belle époque des orgues Limonaire.
150/300

753 Six postcards : 5 with phonos,
and one (reproduction) of an organ grinder (printed "Louis Bertrand et son fils").
5/600

754 "L'orgue de Barbarie", by Leka,
An original coloured glass-framed print n­ 6 of 15,depicting an organ grinder with a monkey, as an allegory of German Victory.24x31cm
5/1000

755 Three books :
"L'Accordéon" by Pierre Monichon (Payot 1985), "Les Arts mécaniques" (Revue Métiers d'art 1994), "Instruments de musique"(PMC éditions 1990).
1/200

756 A book : "Au pays des boîtes à musique"
(Ed. du Cochet, Suisse, 1889).
2/300

757 "L'Orgue de Barbarie", by H. Éeraschi
(Payot 1980). Good condition.
150/300

758 "Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments", by Q. D. Bowers,
(Vestal Press 1972-1988). Soft cover. It is "the"reference book for mechanical music.
4/600

759 Three video tapes on mechanical music subjects,
Musée Baud (Suisse), Reuge Music, Au pays des boîtesà musique. (No precision regarding the format).
2/400

760 A book : "Les automates de Jaquet-Droz"
Deutsche Ausgabe ! German Edition ! Description of the 3famous Neuchâtel automata, by Camera, Loiseau and Roux. 96 p. with illustrations and a LP record, in a cardboard casing. Ed. Scriptar FM Ricci1979.
3/500

761 "L'âge d'or des automates", by Christian Bailly
2d edition, Scala/Ars Mundi (1991), hard cover. Good condition.
3/500

762 "L'âge d'or des automates", by Christian Bailly
2d edition Scala/Ars Mundi (1991), hard cover. Good condition
3/400

763 "Le Monde des automates", by Chapuis et Gelis,
2 vol. soft cover, good condition (used cover and back).Complete. This book, published in 1928, remains the classical reference book on automatas.
35/6000
 

Mechanical music
 

764 A coloured ceramic statue (Staffordshire ?)
picturing two fairground figures, a man playing a barrelorgan, and a woman with a tambourine
Height. ca 30cm (cracks).
3/400

765 "Vieil Armagnac"
A straw protected bottle with musical movement playing"Begin the béguine". Good condition.
3/500

766 Two musical alarm-clocks
(One stamped Junghans with a metal cover of the movement).Good apparent condition.
6/800

767 An interesting dummy wall wooden telephone,
Old style, with a compartment for a decanter and glasses(both lacking). Height. 52cm, good condition. Good snuff-box type movement.
6/1200

768 A fine small violin
with a good one tune musical movement. Good used condition. Long. 52cm.
8/1200

769 A table bar "roulette" game,
with a lighter device, cast iron pediment stamped"Déposé". The image picturing a game of cards (some wear). 34cm.
15/2000

770 A small mechanical poodle dog,
attributed to Elie Martin, key missing.
7/1000

771 A musical tile,
picturing a sepia landscape with two Japanese (?) women and herons. The music plays.
5/700

772 A Merline, by "F. G. Dumont à Mirecourt".
A Merline is a large serinette, this one has 2 stops (10 pipes each), 10tunes. Walnut case with boxwood stringing decoration (some worm damage and small accidents). Fine handwritten tunesheet by F.G. Dumont, depicting tunes for 2 cylinders (only one present). Apparently good notation. Metal pipes (10 stopped in good condition, and 10 open needing restoration). Several previous restorations need completion. Handle is missing. XIXth century. 33x24x17cm.
2/4000

773 A Herophonette organette, 18 keys
Unlike the Ariston, the square cardboard "disc" does not move ; it is the whole mechanism which revolves under it. Box 39x39cm.Restorations. In good playing order. Ca 1900, with 6 square "discs". (See Bowers, p 747).
3/4000

774 A curious musical Cuckoo clock,
in need of restoration. Carved wood, Height 37cm. A cuckoo bird and a small seated figure appear in the two upper apertures. In addition to the two cuckoo pipes, a small musical movement in good condition, cyl. 36mm.
3/500

775 A photo Album with a small musical movement.
3/500

776 An Ariston organette, 24 keys
In good apparent condition (we did not dismantle it to control the inside), but it will need attention to play. The wooden part of the manivelle is missing. With one cardboard disc.
2/3000

777 A small round "manivelle" musical box,
printed "D.G." with decoration of a little girl and a dog. In rather poor condition. Plays Carmen. Diam. 80mm. Ca 1900.
3/400

778 An interesting musical snuff box, teeth in groups of 5,
Black composition case featuring a military scene (notitle, Napoléon on a horse ?). Many cracks and accidents to the case(but the scene is OK). L 93mm.
Two tunes, with tune sheet (Walze Othello, contredanse de Guillaume Tell).Initials "ARF" on the bedplate. It plays well (some damper noise). Genevastop missing. First half of the XIXth century.
18/2500

779 A musical snuff box,
Black composition case featuring the "Place de Louis XV" (Concorde). Some accidents to the case (but the scene is OK). L. 95mm. Two English tunes (one is "The dustman's brother"), with tunesheet. One piece comb, finger of Geneva stop missing. General condition : moderate, but good sound. XIXth century.
15/2000

780 A musical snuff box,
Black composition case featuring very finely the "Hoteldes Monnaies" in Paris, with boats on the river Seine, 2 good tunes with good sound. Command studs changed. Good mechanical condition (finger of Geneva stop lacking).Some accidents to the case (bottom lacking, but the scene is OK). 95 mm,mid XIXth century.
15/2200

781 A musical snuff box, teeth by groups of 3,
Tortoise shell box with a golden escutcheon on the cover. Small scratches and accidents to the box and to the internal cover (partly cut out). Good 2tunes movement (one "tyrolienne"), good mechanical condition and sound. Geneva stop missing, starting device needs to be rebuilt. 90mm, ca 1830/40.
15/2500

782 A 2 tunes musical snuff box,
in a (repainted) metal box. Good musical movement with piccolo effect (one "tyrolienne"). Good condition.
15/2200

783 A small 14 keys organette,
needing restoration, with two 16,5 cm cardboard discs. Handle. Box 27x24cm.
6/1200

784 An 8 tunes Serinette,
Walnut case, revarnished in mahogany colour, 28 cm. Handwritten tune sheet.
(la petite chasse, les cloches de Corneville, etc...) 10 metal pipes(accidents). Complete, but needs restoration. 2d half of XIXth century.
25/3000

785 A musical tile,
picturing two birds. 2 tunes, good music. A modern handwritten label inscribed "Longwy, musique Cuendet ancienne".
7/1000

786 A musical tile,
picturing a young Page filling a glass from a jug. Good music. A modern handwritten label inscribed "Faïence de Gien musique ancienne".
7/1000

787 A good musical cigar dispenser,
on a round black varnished base, Napoléon III style (3dthird of the XIXth century). Good condition. 2 tunes snuff box type musical movement (with tune sheet), endless screw broken. Height 32 cm.
9/1500

788 A fine musical sewing necessary,
Typical of the objects sold in the Palais-Royal in Paris in the middle of the XIXth century. "Tombeau" shaped, inlay decoration, ormulu handle. With sewing accessories (some missing). Good condition, fine one piece comb movement, plays well. 25x17,5x11cm.
3/5000
 

Automata
 

789 Gisèle, a dancing doll,
for a musical box, bisque shoulder headed, cork body, supple wooden limbs. Original clothing. 7 cm.
5/800

790 An automaton by Roullet Decamps : "Singe jouant du violoncelle"
(a monkey playing the cello).
Small electric toy, with real fur. 3 movements (head, jaws and right arm). 220 volts. In working condition. Height 30 cm.
3/5000

791 An automaton by Roullet Decamps : "Singe fumeur"
(a smoking monkey)
Fine automaton toy with real fur. Modeled cardboard head and limbs. Movements of the head, mouth, eyes, right arm. Mechanism for the smoke. Height 37 cm.
4/6000

792 An automaton by Roullet Decamps : "Le petit cuisinier"
(The small cook).
This charming automaton by this famous Parisian Maker (ref. 293) is described as follows : " A cook beats times with fire tongs in his right hand, while he plays on a warming-pan. He turns his head to the right and to the left, before lowering it and showing his tongue, while shaking the top of his cotton cap ..." Music with 1 tune. Jumeau open mouth bisque head. Fine condition. Height 51 cm.
20/25000

793 An automaton by Lambert : "Dandy fumeur"
(A smoking dandy).
An open mouth bisque head Jumeau automaton. Bisque hands. Original clothing. On a base with a one tune musical movement. In working order (the smoke pipe needs to be changed). End of XIXth century. Height :58 cm.
15/20000

794 An automaton by Phalibois : "Singe violoniste sous une tonnelle"    Photo
(A monkey playing the violin, seated under foliage).
Fine original condition, with original clothing and foliage. Two movements for the right arm which holds the bow, movements of the head, the jaws and the eyes. With a clock (as is) on top of the foliage, and a musical movement in the black base (pull cord missing). Glass dome missing. 2d half of the XIXth century. Height : 65 cm.
20/30000

795 An automaton by Gustave Vichy "Jeune femme jouant de la guitare",
(A young lady playing the guitar).
Small automaton in original condition. Bisque revolving head and shoulders ascribed to Gaultier. Blue eyes, bisque hands (accident to the tip of a finger), silk clothing (some wear). A red velvet base houses the mechanism and a 2 tunes musical movement with tunesheet. Remnants of a "Nain Bleu" sticker. In working order, but needs cleaning. End of XIXth century. Height : 34 cm. (See a similar model in"L'Age d'or des Automates, by Chr. Bailly, p 100).
12/15000

796 No lot

797 A fine singing bird by Bontems
in a cage on a rectangular gilt wooden base (small restorations). Beautiful bird with red feathers. Fine song, with movements of the head, the bill and the tail. Height 45 cm.
12/18000

798 "Polichinelle, joueur de grosse caisse", a fine pull along toy,   Photo
(Punchinello playing a bass drum).
End of XIXth century. Composition head with painted features. Velvet and silk clothing. On a wooden base painted in green, with 4 lead wheels. When pulled along, the head and the two arms move. End of XIXth century. Height 54 cm, Length 36cm.
13/18000

799 A rare automaton by Phalibois : "L'avocat" (The barrister),    Photo
Six movements are activated by wooden cams (typical of this famous automaton maker). He is standing behind his desk, and speaks while moving quickly and precisely his hands. Movements of the head, the mouth and the eyes. A musical movement plays independently. Clothing as is. The desk has probably been remade many years ago. Height 74 cm.
50/60000

800 An automaton by Gustave Vichy of a lady attending a horse-race (?),    Photo
She is seated on a bamboo chair and looks with a (missing) telescope. Thisfine automaton with a composition head deserves a first rate restoration. Four movements : head, eyes, two hands and breathing. Old clothing(original underwear, probably later dress). Condition as if found in an attic. Mechanical movement and music inside the body. Original key. End of XIXth century. Height 62 cm.
50/80000
 

Mechanical music
 

801 A musical tile,
picturing a lady with two children, in a Moslem country. It plays 2 tunes (tunesheet). Beginning of the XXth century.
5/800

802 A wooden musical clock with 11,5cm discs,
Case revarnished (small accident), height 47 cm. Needs cleaning, the music plays (two treble teeth broken). With one disc (La Marseillaise).
15/2000

803 An 16 keys organette "Serinette Parisienne", by Thibouville,
In a blackened wooden box (38 cm). Bellows rebuilt, restoration needing completion. With 7 books of music.
5/8000F

804 A fine striking automaton silver watch with Jacquemarts,
featuring two black "Indians" bowmen striking the hours and the quarters on bells (actual sound on gongs inside the box), on a gilt metal background of multi-coloured foliage. Silver dial with roman numerals. Fine presentation condition, finely pierced cock. Dustproof inside cover probably missing, very small lacks, otherwise complete and in working order. Diam. 56 mm, beginning of the XIXth century.
8/12000

805 A rare and good key-wind Ducommun-Girod musical box,    Photo
n­ 21719, 4 tunes, 3 levers, brass 20,5 cm cylinder. One treble teeth very skillfully replaced. Plain box, good condition (faded varnish, small restorations to the corners). 37x15x12cm. Excellent notation and sound, piccolo effect. Ca 1845.
8/12000

806 A rare small size Art nouveau style barrel piano,
Fruitwood case, "Lecouvez-Banteignies, Romeries, Nord"with a (modern) painted canvas in front. 10 tunes (handwritten tunesheet).Polkas, waltzes, charleston... The 61 cm cylinder, stamped"interchangeable", plays on 29 piano keys, one bell and two castanets at will. Ca 1920/30. Good condition and plays well. 90x52x127 cm.
10/12000

807 A good and rare Accordéon Jazz Seybold,    Photo
On a (modern) platform 120x70cm to which percussions are fixed, while the accordeon is independent and linked to the platform only by black rubber hoses. Total height of the instrument : 130cm. The very clever device makes people believe that the player really plays the accordeon and the percussions (bass drum, drum and cymbal), as the percussions stand hides part of the mechanism.
A foot pedal brings air to the mechanism. The player has to move the accordeon bellows to bring air to the reeds. A winding mechanism activates the playing and rewinding of the small roll hidden inside the instrument. With 12 rolls (44 holes).
Ca 1920/30. Excellent presentation and playing condition.
18/25000

808 A 48 keys "Piano mélodieux",
In the shape of a small grand piano. The two pressure springs of the keyframe and the wooden frames supporting the books of music are missing. Needs a revision, otherwise in good condition. Beginning of XXth century.116x70x88cm, with 4 books of music.
7/12000

809 A good coin-operated barrel piano,
10 tunes, Art Nouveau style, with decoration of golden painted lines and small ormulu pieces, and a (modern) canvas picturing the"Moulin Rouge". Large 83 cm cylinder playing on 37 piano keys and 9 bells at will. Good general condition, in working order (out of tune). Ca 1900. 110x67x150cm (+ top part 22cm).
8/10000

810 A good coin-operated barrel piano,
"Manufacture Française de pianos automatiques, Chambéry". 10 tunes, Art Nouveau style, blackened painted wooden case, with decoration of golden painted lines and a (modern) canvas picturing 3dancing young girls. Tunesheet (polkas, mazurkas, valses...). The 88 cm cylinder plays on 38 piano keys and 8 bells at will. In working order (out of tune). Ca 1900. 116x57x134cm (+ top 40cm).
8/10000

811 A fine and rare Calliope coin-operated and lottery upright 52 cm disc musical box, with 12 bells playable at will.    Photo 1    Photo 2
Plays on one or two turns at will, with an aleatory round sweets dispenser.
Fine carved and turned wooden case 65x38x100cm + top 33cm, on a wooden base ca 75 cm high (not original) for the discs.
118 teeth in two opposite combs, each one displaying 29wide teeth, 24 narrow teeth and 6 teeth for the bells. A damper may be applied at will on one comb.
Excellent condition, with a strong and beautiful sound. Germany, end of XIXth century. With 10 metal discs.
A similar instrument is described by Ord-Hume, The musical box, 1995, p. 239, and in the Encyclopedia of automatic musical instruments by Bowers, p. 111).
50/80000

812 A "Serinette Parisienne", 16 keys organette,
by Thibouville. Blackened wooden case, Long 37cm. Bellows rebuilt, in very good used condition. Ca 1900, with ca 12 used books of music.
8/10000

813 An "Organina Thibouville" 24 keys organette,
Blackened wooden case, long. 53cm. Bellows rebuilt, good used condition. In working order, needs some tuning. With 15 old books of music and 2 modern ones. Ca 1900.
8/13000

814 An "Amorette", 16 keys organette with automaton dolls in a house.
The old music mechanism (with one disc) is housed in a home-made (?) miniature house. Two dolls (recent) revolve in a glazed compartment in the front. Restorations and transformations. It should be noted that Amorette (Euphonia Musikwerke, Leipzig) produced many similar pieces at the beginning of the XXth century (cf. Bowers p 748). In working order. 32x26x40cm.
2/3000

815 A good 47 keys Limonaire Fournier fairground organ,    Photo
n­5084, built in 1992.
Fine painted, gilt and carved wooden front, decorated with roses and a landscape. Three automatas (a conductor beating time and two men striking bells). About 100 wooden pipes, a bass drum, snare drum and cymbal is dismountable consoles. Good general condition, in working order, but a general cleaning and adjusting revision would be advisable for a perfect playing. 195x85cm, Height 148cm (+ top48cm).
With a good choice of ca 35 Limonaire Fournier books of music (in very good condition).
Modern productions by "Limonaires Fournier", in Seyssuel, near Lyon, are known for their good make and reliability.
60/100000
 

Fairground art.
 

N­ 816 to 840 : these lots are parts of a fairground carrousel which has been run East of France from the beginning of the XXTH CENTURY till ca 1950.
All the animals, gondolas, wooden decoration panels and ceilings are there, but the metallic structure, the running mechanism, the mast and the organ are missing.
Before the auctioning lot after lot, the whole available parts will be proposed for auction with a first minimal bid of 320.000 FF, so that a potential buyer might save the whole carrousel.
If such a minimal bid is not obtained, the various lots will be proposed one after the other in the order of the catalogue.
 

816 A fine jumping horse, by Bayol Frères in Angers.    Photo
Carved wood, dappled painted, red saddle on a green background, with the Maison Bayol escutcheon. Glass eyes. Long. 1,20m -Height. 1,18m.
15/20000

817 A fine jumping horse, by Bayol Frères in Angers.
Carved wood, dappled painted, orange saddle on a red background, with the Maison Bayol escutcheon. Glass eyes. (Small accident to a foreleg). Long. 1,20m - Height. 1,18m.
15/20000

818 A fine jumping horse, by Bayol Frères in Angers.
Carved wood, dappled painted, orange saddle on a red background, with the Maison Bayol escutcheon. Glass eyes. (Head needs to be fixed). Long. 1,20m - Height. 1,18m.
10/15000

819 A wooden panel for a fairground organ,
in four parts, carved and painted with landscapes. A facade, side panels with a circle aperture, and top part, as is. Total height 2,25m - Width of the front 1,30m - Width of the side panels60cm.
5/8000

820 A fine carved wooden swan,    Photo
allowing a child to sit inside. A small part lacking to a leg. Height 1,05m - Long. 80cm.
8/12000

821 A fine carved wooden swan,
allowing a child to sit inside. The attitude of the neck is slightly different from the previous lot. Height 1,05m - Long. 80cm.
8/12000

822 A large carved rose painted wooden pig,
showing its tongue, glass eyes. With a saddle and a blue blanket with red binding, a metal tail. (Large flake of paint at the rear).Height 72cm - Long. 1,90m.
10/12000

823 A large carved rose painted wooden pig,
showing its tongue, glass eyes. With a saddle and a blanket with green binding, a metal tail. Height. 72cm Long. 1,90m.
10/12000

824 A large carved rose painted wooden pig,
showing its tongue, glass eyes. With a saddle and a green blanket with blue binding. Height 72cm - Long. 1,90m.
10/12000

825 A rare and fine painted and carved lion,
with a large mane, open mouth, showing its tongue, glass eyes. Height 87cm - Long. 1,5m.
10/15000

826 A rare and fine galloping stag,
with two painted iron antlers, glass eyes. Height 1,25m - Long. 1,22m.
10/15000

827 A galloping horse by Limonaire (?),
Carved wood, glass eyes, horse's hair tail (some lacking),mane aside, a small part lacking on an ear. Height 95cm - Long. 1,05m.
7/10000

828 A jumping horse by Limonaire (?),
Carved wood, glass eyes, horse's hair tail (some lacking),mane aside. Height 97cm - Long. 1,10m.
7/10000

829 A galloping horse by Limonaire (?),
Carved wood, glass eyes, horse's hair tail (some lacking),mane aside, saddle with double painted blanket. Height. 93cm - Long.1,30m.
8/12000

830 A fine carved wood jumping horse,
dappled painted, glass eyes, mane aside. Height. 96cm - Long. 1,28m.
10/15000

831 A carved and painted wood running cow,    Photo
Height 84cm - Long. 1,10m.
7/10000

832 A small carved wood pig,
showing its tongue, glass eyes, corkscrew metal tail. Height 50cm - Long. 1,10m.
7/10000

833 A carved wood galloping he-goat,
with painted metal horns, Height 1m - Long. 1,20m.
10/15000

834 A grey painted galloping horse,
glass eyes, Height 1m - Long. 1,20m.
5/8000

835 A fine jumping horse by Bayol Frères in Angers,
carved and dappled painted wood, green blanket, glass eyes, with the Maison Bayol escutcheon (accident to an ear). Height 1,05m -Long. 1,20m.
12/18000

836 Two fantastic birds,
in carved wood, featuring a dragon or a bird, each in two parts, a head and a tail. In the middle was probably a space allowing a passenger to sit down. Length of the head : ca 65 cm.
Each may be auctioned separately.
2/3000 pièce

837 Nine painted panels,
featuring various French landscapes : mountains, Mediterranée, villages. Each panel : Height 1,90m - Width. 75cm. They were probably used to hide the mast.
8/12000

838 An exceptional group of ca 112 mainly wooden panels,
featuring mainly the ceiling, the sides and the base of the carrousel : seven groups of sixteen elements each.
- For the ceiling : - 1­ sixteen trapezoidal panels with flower decoration. Height. 1,70m - Long. 2,20 - Width of the large side 1,50m. - 2­ : Sixteen other smaller trapezoidal panels painted with flower decoration. Height 74cm - Width of the small side 62cm (They joint the small sides of the previous panels).
- Sixteen multifoil shaped large panels formed the exterior top of the carrousel. They are decorated of landscapes :mountains, seasides. One is inscribed : "Carrousel Lorrain P. Huard Pre -Rouvrois sur Meuse". Height 96cm - Long. 1,70m
- Three groups of sixteen wooden panels each, painted in"trompe l'oeil" or with flowers, allowing the junction of the various panels. (cf. photo).
- Sixteen sheet-iron painted panels (13x56cm), probably featuring the base of the carrousel.
40/60000

839 No lot

840 A group of elements for Gondolas,
A magnificent round shaped back of a seat, painted with flowers and protruding ribbon and engraved mirror. Height 1,40m - Long. 0,70m. Two smaller dittos with similar decoration. Two simple panels painted in cream coulour. Four boards applied with stucco to form a bench. An opened oval seat with a copper back. The whole forming possibly one complete gondola ?
10/15000

841 and 842 No lot
 

Mechanical music and automatas
 

843 A very fine Duo-Art Aeolian grand piano,
Excellent and rare presentation and working condition, completely restored.
7 1/4 octaves, 3 pedals. Mahogany case. Long. 158, Width 139, Height 99cm."Aeolian Company Duo-Art", ca 1925. In addition to being an excellent hand playable piano, this instrument may play too automatically : the electrified system reproduces the nuances noted on Duo-Art paper rolls : many of these rolls were recorded in the first third of the XXth century by famous pianists or composers (such as Horowitz ...). This piano may play too the 88 notes standard rolls. A few adjustments would be advisable to get an absolutely perfect playing. With ca 30 rolls, most of them Duo-Art rolls, half classical, half light music.
60/80000

844 A fine 25 keys, 3 stops portable barrel organ,
executed in a very similar way to an organ clock mechanism (it seems probable that Black Forest clock makers made too portable organs). Walnut case 60x45x65cm. Fine dark red coloured 48 cm cylinder playing 10 tunes(Waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, one tune titled : "Napoléon Lied"). With handle. Completely restored. Very good condition and sonority. The windchest bears a date : "1869".
25/35000

845 An automaton of a violin player seated on a barrel,
Fine mechanical automaton probably of German make, but with a label of the famous Maison "Giroux et Cie", 43 Bd des Capucines à Paris". A key-wind mechanism moves a counterweight which makes the barrelroll on three lead guides. The standing violinist begins then to move. Cardboard head (small accidents). Fine original clothing with small bells attached (usual wear). Last half of the XIXth century. Height : 38 cm.
7/10000

846 A fine mechanical toy by Roullet Decamps.
of a cart pulled by a walking doll, with original lace clothing. On the cart is seated a small doll who holds a stick. Blocked mechanism in need of attention. Long. 36cm.
12/18000

847 A fine mechanical toy by Roullet Decamps, "La Harpiste"
The female Harp player is standing, with mechanism inside the body, on a red velvet base housing a small independent musical movement. Bisque head moule Simon & Halbig moule1300, fine original condition, blocked mechanism in need of attention.
12/18000

848 A Bush with singing birds by Bontems,
Perched on the branches of a tree, 3 birds twitter. One is drinking in a fountain, another jumps from one branch to the other, the third one fleapits wings. Good condition, with usual restorations. On a black wooden base under glass dome. 2d half of XIXth century. Height : 78 cm.
40/60000

849 A famous automaton by Lambert "L'Escamoteur"
(The conjurer) Fine original mechanism with 8 cams and a 2 tune musical movement, non original clothing and fabric (underwear excepted), restored patina to the head and hands, model with two goblets. Movements of the head, the jaws and the eyes, composition head featuring a Turk. All the objects which appear are period original :dice, boot, elephant. End of the XIXth century. Height 80cm (réf. 33bisdu catalogue de la Maison Lambert).
30/50000

850 A rare automaton by Roullet Decamps : "Page fumeur"
(The smoking page).
Mechanism inside the body. Réf 211 of the Maison R. D. catalogue : "Fumeur-Page costume riche satin"(cf Ch Bailly l'Age d'Or des Automates p 294). The model offered at auction to-day is in "attic" condition. The mechanism is working but needs revision. Original clothing slightly worn. Rare pressed bisque Jumeau Head with accidents (forehead and right cheek). Painted metal hands. Height 63 cm.
25/30000

851 A fine automaton by Lambert : "Jeune fille à l'oiseau"
(A young girl with a bird).
Jumeau closed mouth taille 4 head, chestnut paperweight eyes, fine original silk clothing. Movements of the head, of the left hand which raises an egg with a flapping bird inside, and of the right hand which shows the whole scene (Alas, bird and right hand missing). On a musical base playing one tune : "La Mascotte - Romance du Caire". Fine original condition (the two missing parts excepted). Height52cm.
18/25000

852 A charming automaton of a girl and her cat, by Lambert.
"Fillette et son chat".
In fine original condition, picturing a young girl standing in front of a small table, with movements of both arms (bisque hands). She is supposed to ornate the table. She presents flowers, while at her feet a small cat plays with a ball. Movements of the German bisque head, open mouth, movements of the eyes (need attention). On a red base with a 2 tunes musical movement (original tunesheet). Original L. B. key. Height 62 cm.
20/25000
 

853 An automaton by Marcu, of a young woman with a flower basket,
"Jeune femme à la corbeille de fleurs".
Fine bisque smiling head. Two movements : head and right arm. Mid XXth century. On a musical base playing The Blue Danube. Height.53 cm.
7/10000

853 bis A round metal cage with two mechanical singing birds,
mechanism in the base, it plays well but needs cleaning, XXth century, Height ca 20 cm.
2/2500

854 A wooden miniature fairground carrousel,
Home made, electrically operated. H 64x58cm.
4/5000

855 An animated scene of a baker,
"Le boulanger", showing a baker putting his shovel inside an electrical oven. Ca 1950. 35x35cm.
2/3000

856 A amusing musical toy depicting a clown,
seated in front of an Organ. Handle operated with a reed music (as is).
5/800

857 A small modern automaton
of a young lady. Bisque head and arm, musical base. 47cm.
8/1200

858 Six figures for an animated shop-window,
ca 1950/60, electrical (110 v.), featuring winter scenes :a skier, a fir tree, etc., some with lighting, other with movements. In original case. 8/1200

859 Six figures for an animated shop-window,
featuring winter scenes : a skier, a fir tree, etc., some with lighting, other with movements. In original case.
8/1200

860 A shop-window automaton,
featuring "La grande roue du loto" (a large lottery wheel), ca 1950.
1/1500

861 and 862, no lot

863 A small music box with a "Gisèle" dancing doll,
Fair wooden case with a small inlay decoration (closing device needing attention). 14x11,5x10 cm. One tune musical movement. Fine17 cm doll, bisque head and shoulders, worn clothing. In working order, and good used condition. Beginning of XXth century.
22/3200

864 A fine and rare coin operated interchangeable Mermod musical box,    Photo
with four 6 tunes nickel-plated 28,5 cm cylinders.
Fine blackened wood and veneered case, with a drawer for 3 cylinders. Ormulu handles, an external lever allows to start the play without using the coin operating mechanism (on one side). 75x31x31cm. With the four original tune sheets (rare, they are usually lost). Typical Mermod fittings (external handle winding, nickel-plate mechanism with zither, tune indicator, parachute, speed-control). Sublime harmony arrangement, needs a light tuning, otherwise excellent condition. End of XIXth century.
25/35000

865 No lot

866 A portable 32 keys reed barrel organ,
8 tunes. Wooden case decorated with an inlay of flowers. Restorations (part of the lid changed). Good condition, plays well. End of XIXth century. 59x30x41cm.
15/20000

867 An amusing coin-operated musical box with dancing dolls,
"Théâtre automatique" , in the "Boîte de gare" style. When started, a red curtain rises and shows 3 dancing dolls (modern). Some small accidents to the case (top decoration lacking, mirrors replaced). Otherwise large and good brass 21,5 cylinder movement with 8 tunes. Good general condition. End of XIXth century. 63x37x71cm.
8/12000

868 A 40 cm disc upright Polyphon musical box,
standing on a very fine Mills phono base housing the 8metal discs, 53x46x95.
The classical Polyphon case (53x30x108 cm) houses a good movement with 2 opposite combs : one comb in two parts (27+12=39 teeth), the other in one piece (39 teeth). Handle winding, good playing condition. Germany, end of XIXth century. Various restorations to the case (the fine carved head on top probably not original) and the movement (rod to maintain the disc replaced, modification of the starting device, etc.).
18/25000

869 A fine 24 keys portable reed organ,
using books (Gamme Thibouville). Fine painted wooden case, with decoration of twisted columns, flowers and a shell on the front. 70 x 50 x 82 cm. Reeds with resonator wooden pipes and two trumpets which protrude from the top of the case. Expression flap. Good condition, plays well. Unknown maker (ca 1980/90). With 5 books of music.
15/20000

870 A cylinder barrel orchestrion style mechanical piano,
Front (with central opening window), decorated with an oval shaped landscape, and on each side beveled mirrors. Two 10 tunes 93cm long cylinders (some splits). Various accessories (some parts missing) :2 sets of jingle bells, a tambourine, snare drum, cymbal and castanets). Needs some attention and tuning. Works mechanically or electrically (the latter needs attention). Width 1,18m - Height 1,87m.
10/15000

870 bis A fine street organ,
modern (ca 1990), in a painted case and facade, and on a cart. Good condition, a very decorative object.
Apparently, plays books with the Gamme Thibouville 24 keys, 3stops.
(Sorry, arrived too late for a full description. Details on request).
40/60000

871 A table 24 cm disc Polyphon musical box,
Case in good condition, with transfer decoration inside(dancing children). Small accident to the lid. The mechanism plays (one replaced tooth, tuning and leads on the bass teeth need attention).31x28cm. With 8 metal discs.
28/4000

872 An Ariston 24 keys organette,
Rather good apparent condition, but needs attention. With ca 27 cardboard discs in very good condition.
25/3500

873 A pneumatic 88 notes Aeriol Pianola piano,
Aeriol was apparently linked with Aeolian. Walnut case in good condition but varnish needs cleaning and attention. With 2chandeliers. Pedal operated. Metal frame. Mechanism seems complete, but needs restoration. Beginning of XXth century.148x75cm. Height 135cm. With ca sixty nine 88notes rolls, some classical and many light music.
4/6000

874 A musical clock with 2 automatas and a landscape.
Wooden case with glass framed landscape. 2 automatas(accidents) on top. Small musical movement. Sold as is (cobwebs !), needs cleaning. H. 65 cm.
2/3000

874 bis A rare "bull's eye" shaped automaton clock,
("oeil de boeuf"). The clock train mechanism moves 3 animations, through wooden pulleys and ropes : a family riding a boat, the wings of a mill, and a water mill. Musical movement missing, otherwise seems complete, but needs the usual revision. 2d part of the XIXth century. Height : 62 cm.
5/8000

875 A fine coin operated Art Nouveau style barrel piano,
"A Olympe, Toul". Beautiful 1900 case with a period canvas(marine). Some restorations, worm damage, inappropriate handle. 120x65x151cm + top 43cm. 95 cm cylinder playing 10 tunes on 51 keys.
5/8000

876 A very decorative coin operated Art Nouveau barrel piano,    Photo
Beautiful fair-coloured wooden case with mirrors. Many restorations (frame, strings, mirrors, etc.), some missing parts. It plays 10 tunes (with tunesheet). Drum, snare drum, cymbal, woodblock, 43 keys. Needs attention to the tuning, the coin-operation and the tune changer. 1,15x0,72 x H.1,71m, 2,24m with the top. First half of the XXth century.
This piano is mainly a beautiful decorative piece. It belonged to a famous French Rugby reporter, Roger Couderc.
7/12000

877 A 6 tunes cylinder musical box,
Case with boxwood stringing and transfer decoration. Some worn damage. 35x18x13cm. Lever wind, brass 11,5 cm cylinder. 1 broken tooth, many bent pins.
12/1800

878 A small organette, apparently 10 keys,
to be restored, with 3 period books of music (7 cm wide).Handle missing. End of XIXth century. Long 29cm.
8/1200

879 A black musical wooden base with butterflies and insects under a glass dome.
Good Christmas music (cord-pull wind). H 44x53cm.
3/5000

880 A wooden musical clock,
Good condition (one treble tooth broken). Height ca 45cm.
8/1200

881 Hohner
A pedal harmonica tester ; one harmonica ; one revolving stand for shop presentation.
8/1200

882 A musical tile,
Riverside decoration. 3 tunes with tune sheet (not operative movement).
5/700

883 Two small musical box movements,
An old one, cyl 42 cm, in need of restoration ; the other one is an interesting very small Thorens movement (1960 ?) in a phono needle box type gilt metal case (44x32mm), with 20 mm cylinder playing on18 teeth (mechanism blocked).
2/500

884 Several various parts,
for a small organ and organette (pipes, reeds, etc.)
200

885 A Bols musical decanter,
without label. Good condition.
2/300

886 Nine 20,5 cm metal discs,
for Etoile or Edelweiss (Thorens) musical box. Good condition.
250/400

887 Ca twenty pneumatic piano rolls,
mainly classical, good condition. Sixteen 65 notes (one Pleyela) and three 88 notes rolls.
1/200

888 Three 20,5 cm metal Polyphon discs
2/300

889 Ten 62,5 metal Polyphon discs
(various conditions)
1/2000

890 Two lots of 80 to 100 pianola 88 notes rolls,
One lot mainly classical, the other rather light music.
May be sold separately.
4/600 each lot

891 Remnants of a mechanism (clock and musical movement) for a large musical picture clock. Complete ? but very rusty.
1/1500

892 Various parts,
Three 16 cm rolls, Gem Roller organ type ; one paper roll for a Mignon type organette ; one book of music for an 27 keys organ(Boyadjoglou "Le temps des cerises") ; one booklet from the Musée d'artforain (Favand) ; n­13 of the Journal of the French AAIMM (1er trim. 95).
150/300

893 A small wooden modern musical box in the shape of a piano,
with a dancing doll, Sanyo movement. In working order.
1/200

894 A small German accordeon,
popular type stamped "Spiral Ressort Accordéon Schutz Mark"
5/800

895 Four old accordions
(will be sold separately)

896 Dynamometer to measure muscular strength,
To be put on a bar counter.
3/500

Grammophones and phonographs (Lots 899-1000), auction starting at ca 5 pm.
(For these lots, please report to the French edition of the catalogue).
End of the auction : ca 6.30 pm

Dolls : lots n­s 1-750 : auction on Saturday May 13th,ask for the special catalogue.

Next auction of automatas and mechanical music : December 2000